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Friday, June 11, 2010

Fire departments receive oxygen masks for pets

Published Friday June 11th, 2010

The New Brunswick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has donated several pet oxygen mask kits to three Fredericton area fire departments.

The kits contain three cone-shaped masks that can fit animals as small as a guinea pig to as large as a St. Bernard dog. The gear is designed to deliver oxygen to animals that have been affected by fires, traffic collisions and other emergencies. The kits cost approximately $100 a piece and are already stationed in a total of 23 fire departments in New Brunswick.
The kits were given to the Fredericton, Nackawic and Upper Kingsclear fire departments.
Vanessa Packman, fur safety co-ordinator, said the NBSPCA would like to see at least one kit per New Brunswick fire department.
"These are specialized masks," she said. "Human oxygen masks are flat, so they don't fit the faces of animals. These masks are cone shaped and come in different sizes so that they can fit over the animal's muzzle without having the oxygen escape."
Approximately two thirds of homes in New Brunswick have pets, Packman said. "Pets are often seen as family members, so it's important to be able to help every member of that family."
Paul Fleming, assistant deputy fire chief, said the pet oxygen masks are a great addition to have on the trucks.
"It's great! A lot of people's pets are as close to them as children and it's horrible when there is a fire. People become so distressed because that's a loved one that's in there. Our job is to protect that family and the pets are part of that family."
"These masks are important because a pet can't tell you how they are feeling or what they need. People don't tend to realize these pets are stuck in that fire as well, breathing in all that smoke and they need the oxygen."
Fleming said that the Fredericton departments had been looking into the kits. "These are really important and definitely a great addition to have on board of the trucks. I hope that more departments will be able to purchase them in the future."

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By placing a pet oxygen mask over its face, the fire department was able to rescue the rabbit out of a burning apartment in Wuppertal. The fire had broken out in an apartment on the second floor of a multiple-family residence in the early hours of Sunday. After all the inhabitants had been rescued it was noticed that the rabbit was still in its cage inside. The animal had inhaled a lot of smoke and had to receive additional oxygen the fire department reported. The apartment burned out completely. The cause for the fire is not yet known.

About The Wag'N Pet Oxygen Mask Program

There Are 3 Methods For Fire and EMS Departments To Acquire The Pet Oxygen Mask Kits:
- First responders Can Purchase Them Directly
- Community Members can sponsor their department(s)
- First responders can apply for the Wag'N O2 Fur Life Fellowship Program (We raise funds 4 Department)